文,译/gummykitty真棒巡演(Bad Tour)期间(1988年前后),迈克尔·杰克逊(Michael Jackson)在日本东京Capitol Tokyu宾馆的便笺上给摄像师William Pecchi Jr.写了这封亲笔信。信中的Pecky为MJ对他的昵称。
Pecchi为电影《月球漫步者》(Moonwalker)掌镜,电影拍摄完成后受邀参加真棒巡演,负责记录下歌迷的反应(看到网上有人说真棒日本横滨站的演出时MJ曾大声叫Pecky,细心的人不妨考证一下)。工作接触中,他和MJ有过深入的交谈,促使MJ写下这封信。其中MJ说明了他的拍摄构想,表达了对Pecchi的鼓励,及对于种族主义的看法。落款为“love M.J.”
我一边翻译一边心如刀割。这封信是无价之宝。三枚便笺虽小,却足以管中窥豹。我在字里行间看到了一个对完美艺术境界孜孜以求的艺人,一个不畏艰难的强者,一个智慧严肃的思考者,一颗高贵博爱的灵魂。1988年,年轻的杰克逊已站上事业的巅峰。没巨星的狂妄,没有沉湎于物质享受,他还在不断探求、不断前进。然而他在写下这封信的时候,不曾料到若干年后会遭到行业大佬的排挤,尽管彼时意气风发;不曾料到会背上背叛黑人血统的骂名,尽管自己深信种族平等;不曾料到会两次被诬为娈童者,尽管他爱孩子爱得那样单纯。最后我还有一声叹息,为杰克逊到底没有圆成的电影梦。
第一页:第二页: 第三页:Pecky (MJ对这位摄影师的昵称),
I very seldom write letters. But in this moving occasion I couldn't help myself.
我非常少写信,但这会儿我觉得一定要写点什么。
I want to thank you for putting the effort forward to capture the magic and excitement of the people of the world. What you do is a very personal and powerful medium to me. It is the art of stopping time, to preserve a moment that the naked eye cannot hold, to capture truth, spontaneous truth, the depths of excitement in human spirit. All else will be forgotten but not the films.
感谢你辛勤工作,在世界各国摄录人们的神奇瞬间。这对我而言是有特殊个人意义、且非常有效的记录手段。摄影是能让时间停留的艺术,把无法在肉眼驻留的时刻保存下来,把即兴发生的事件和人类灵魂中的丰沛***做最真实的记录。其他东西都会被遗忘,但电影不会。
Generations from now will experience the excitement you've captured. It truly is a time capsule. I will not be totally satisfied until I know you're at the right angle at the right time, to capture a crescendo of emotion that happens so quickly, so spontaneously. What you have done was good, but I want the best, the whole picture, cause and effect. I want crowd reaction, wide lens shots, depths of emotion, timing. I know we can do it.
未来的几代人能够通过影像重新感受到你用摄像机抓住的兴奋激动之情。所以说胶片是真正的时间胶囊。情绪是最自然、也最转瞬即逝的东西。 我必须知道你在最好的时间选择了最好的角度去抓住那些情绪的高潮,否则我就无法完全满意。你一直拍得很好,但我还要最好的,要有完整性,有前因后果。我要拍(我表演时)人群的反应,要有广角镜头,情绪要饱满有层次,时间安排准确无误。我相信我们能够做到。
It is my dream and goal to capture truth. We should dedicate ourselves to this. The person who makes a success of living, is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication. There is no other way to perfection than dedication perseverance. Just tell us what you need to make it happen. Take the leadership to direct the other camera men. I enjoy working with you that is why I asked you to come, you have a gentle spirit that's very likable.
记录真实是我的梦想和目标,我们应该全身心地投入。
成功之道在于紧盯目标锲而不舍,在于执着。没有坚韧不拔的毅力就不能达到完美的境界。只要是你认为拍摄需要的,尽管告诉我们。充分发挥你的领导才能,指挥调动其他的摄影师。与你一起工作的经历非常愉快,所以我邀请你参与我的巡演。你有温柔的灵魂,很让人喜欢。
Maybe I look at the world through rose colored glasses but I love people all over the world. That is why stories of racism really disturb me. You hurt my heart and soul when you told me of your boyhood in Texas. Because in truth I believe ALL men are created equal, I was taught that and will always believe it. I just can't conceive of how a person could hate another because of skin color. I love every race on the planet earth. Prejudice is the child of ignorance. Naked we come into the world and naked we shall go out. And a very good thing too, for it reminds me that I am naked under my shirt, whatever its color.
也许我透过玫瑰色的眼镜来看世界,但我真的爱世界上所有的人。所以每当我听到有关种族歧视的事情时,总会深感不安。你童年在德科萨斯州的遭遇深深的刺痛了我的心,因为
我坚信人人生而平等。我从小就被这样教导,也会永远相信这点。我无法想象一个人可以因为另一个人的肤色而如此仇恨对方。我爱这地球上的所有人种。
无知为偏见之母。世人赤条条地降临人世,亦将赤条条地离开。如果把皮肤也当成衣服,那衣服下面我们都是一样的人,不管衣服的颜色千差万别。
(译者注:德州是白人保守势力非常强的地区。据海外网友猜测,Pecky是德州白人,小时候被教育仇视有色人种,后来在与MJ的交往中谈及此事并有忏悔之意。MJ真是有改变一个人的力量,一种温柔而强大的力量。)I'm sorry to bring up such past issues, but in the car I was hurt by what you said. I'm so happy though that you managed to overcome your childhood past. Thank God that you've graduated from such beliefs of ignorance. I'm glad I've never experienced such things. Teach your kids to love all people equally. I know you will.
很抱歉我提起这些旧事。你在车里告诉我时,我感到很痛心。但同时我也为你能克服童年阴影而感到高兴。感谢上帝你没有被愚昧无知击倒。 我很幸运从来没有遭遇过这样的事。请教导你的孩子们去平等地爱所有人。我知道你会的。
I speak from my heart saying I love you and all people especially the children. I'm glad God chose me and you.
我发自内心的说我爱你和所有的人,
特别是孩子。我很高兴上帝选择了你和我来完成这项工作。
Love M.J.
爱你的MJ